Effects of phase transition on the hardness of shape memory alloys

Abstract

Based on the dimensional analysis and finite element calculations, the effects of phase transition on the hardness of shape memory alloys were unveiled. It is shown that the hardness of shape memory alloys increases with the increase in the phase transition stress, the increase in the plastic yield stress, and the decrease in the maximum transition strain. However, the ratio of the hardness to the phase transition stress or the ratio of the hardness to the plastic yield stress is not a constant and therefore, the hardness of shape memory alloys cannot be treated as a material property. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.